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    Home » Recipes by Ingredient » Beef Recipes » Irish Stew (Slow Cooker)

    Irish Stew (Slow Cooker)

    Published: Feb 14, 2022 · Modified: Feb 23, 2022 by seekinggoodeats · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Pinterest pin featuring a white bowl full of Irish stew
    pinterest pin of irish stew in slow cooker and in a white bowl with a spoon.

    This Irish stew slow cooker recipe is simple, hearty, and delicious. Just take a bite of the mouthwatering tender lamb (or beef) and vegetables slow-cooked in an herbed broth with Guinness! YES, please!

    Slow cooker irish stew served in a white bowl with handles and garnished with pepper and parsley.
    Jump to:
    • You'll ❤️ Irish Lamb Stew
    • How To Serve
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • Top Tips
    • FAQs
    • ✔️ More Recipes
    • ⭐ Let's Connect
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    You'll ❤️ Irish Lamb Stew

    "We had a similar stew in an Irish pub once. It was so dang good that I asked how they made it. Their response: "Guinness." Enough said! 🙂 This is my attempt at re-creating that recipe for you. Enjoy!" -Kori

    Easy

    I intentionally made this a super easy stew that you could throw it together on a super busy morning. You know, the type of mornings where you are doing 10 things at once? 😉

    There is no need to brown the meat in this dish (but you can if you want to). This dish uses minimal ingredients - with no compromise on taste - and there is no need to be perfect while cutting up your veg either.

    Traditional With A Twist

    This Irish stew is a classic lamb stew recipe, but this version has a little more "oomph" so to speak. So what's the twist? I've added some Guinness stout beer. It adds the perfect amount of tang to this dish.

    Comfort Food

    When I think of comfort food I think of stew, soup, and casseroles. Okay, and maybe brownies too. LOL

    There is nothing like smelling this delicious stew cooking in the crockpot all day. It fills the kitchen with the most delicious aromas.

    After a long hard day at work - it's total bliss to have dinner ready. A warm bowl of stew with my family - total comfort. xoxo


    How To Serve

    Irish stew is a meal in one so you won't need much in the way of side dishes. Here are a couple of ideas:

    • Garnish with fresh parsley or chives.
    • Serve it with a side of Irish soda bread, or other crusty bread, biscuits, rolls, or breadsticks.
    • A great way to balance a hearty stew like this one is with a fresh green salad with a favorite salad dressing - catalina french dressing, blue cheese, italian dressing, or thousand island.

    If you love Irish Stew you may want to try this Instant Pot Lamb Stew, or this leftover version. 🙂


    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you will need to make this Irish stew (slow cooker) recipe:

    Ingredients needed for making Irish Stew

    See the recipe card for exact quantities.

    • Lamb or Beef Stew Meat - while lamb has a much more distinctive taste you can certainly use beef in the recipe!
    • Onion - I used a yellow onion but a sweet white onion would be nice as well.
    • Carrots
    • Celery
    • Potatoes - I used russet potatoes because that is what I had on hand but if you are in a hurry use halved (unpeeled) baby potatoes, or if they're really tiny just pop them in whole.
    • Lamb Stock or Beef - use either stock or broth. Stock is always richer.
    • Guinness Beer - because this recipe is Irish-inspired - you gotta use Guinness Beer! It's a classic Irish stout beer that's easily found in most grocery stores in the U.S.
    • Tomato Paste - acts as a thickener and adds a slight tangy brightness to the recipe.
    • Worcestershire Sauce
    • Rosemary - I used 1 teaspoon fresh just because it is a very strong herb
    • Thyme - dried or fresh is perfectly acceptable. 1 teaspoon of dried equals 1 tablespoon of fresh.
    • Kosher Salt - this is the brand of salt I use in practically all recipes (not baking though). Each salt is slightly different so you may need to adjust at the end.
    • Ground Black Pepper
    • Parsley - used for garnish. Fresh is best for the color and freshness it brings to this dish.
    • Optional thickener - flour, cornstarch, or xanthan gum

    Equipment

    Equipment and tools needed to make this Guinness beef stew slow cooker:

    • 6-quart slow cooker
    • Cutting Board
    • Chef Knife
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Mixing Spoon
    • Ladle
    • Whisk - for whisking the flour and pot juices together.
    • Small Bowl

    Variations

    Here are a few ways you can vary or make substitutions to your slow cooker Irish stew:

    • Substitute all broth for the beer if you prefer.
    • You can make this a Guinness beef stew, or use veal or mutton.
    • Add extra vegetables like mushrooms, cabbage, celery, leeks, or even canned diced tomatoes.
    • For a little more brightness and tang you could add in a tablespoon of red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice.
    • Add frozen Peas about 30 minutes prior to serving. They add freshness and color to the stew after slow cooking all day.
    • Want it spicy? Add some red pepper flakes or a diced hot pepper (remove seeds first).
    • Add some fresh minced garlic
    • Use different herbs - fresh or dried. Some herbs that go well with lamb are savory, oregano, marjoram, curry, allspice, thyme, rosemary, ginger, mint, and basil, bay leaves.

    Instructions

    Here's how to make this Irish stew (Slow Cooker) recipe:

    For complete instructions, please see the printable recipe card below.

    Add Ingredients To Crock

    Add onions, carrots, potatoes, lamb, herbs, stock, beer, salt, and pepper to the crockpot.

    Adding the Guinness beer to the irish stew before slow cooking.

    Slow Cook

    Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the lamb is done and the vegetables are tender.

    Optional: thicken gravy if desired using flour, cornstarch, or xanthan gum.

    slow cooking the irish stew.

    Serve and Garnish

    Adjust salt and pepper if needed.

    Serving a ladle full of irish stew.

    Serve and garnish with fresh parsley.

    Irish stew garnished with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.

    Top Tips

    • If you prefer a thicker gravy use flour, cornstarch, or xanthan gum (low carb) to thicken after cooking. Leave the lid of the crock pot to allow the gravy to thicken.
    • Time-saving tips: To make this go even faster, cut up your carrots and onion ahead of time. If you don't feel like peeling potatoes use baby potatoes and if they are bite size leave them whole, if they are large just cut them into bite-sized pieces. If you are using larger potatoes they need to be peeled, but don't do this until you are ready to make them as they will turn brown.

    FAQs

    How do you store leftovers?

    To store leftovers, let the stew cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. See reheating and freezing instructions below.

    Can you make it ahead of time?

    Yes, you've got two options.

    One, you can prepare the stew in its entirety then reheat the day you want to serve it. You can also freeze it; see notes below.

    Two, you can pre-prep the lamb by cutting it into cubes. Then, chop and dice the carrots and onion. Wait to peel the potatoes until right before cooking as they will turn brown. Or, use baby potatoes so you don't have to peel. Small bite-size baby potatoes can remain whole. Baby potatoes larger than bite-size can be cut in half. It's really your preference.

    How long will this stew keep?

    Irish stew will keep up to four days if stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator.

    Can you freeze this lamb stew?

    Yes, you can freeze lamb stew. To freeze it, let it cool completely after cooking, then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    The thaw, remove the stew from the freezer 24 to 48 hours before you want to cook it. Remove it well in advance - a large portion of stew can take a couple of days to thaw properly.

    How do you reheat stew?

    Here is what you need to do to reheat your stew:

    Microwave: Using a microwave-safe dish, cover a stew serving and reheat on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. The exact time depends upon the power of your microwave.

    Stovetop: Place the stew in a saucepan, cover, and reheat over low heat, frequently stirring so that it doesn't stick.


    ✔️ More Recipes

    More Irish Recipes

    Enjoy these Irish inspired recipes!

    • Best Crockpot Corned Beef
    • Irish Mule Cocktail Recipe (Skinny Keto Low Carb)
    • Lamb Mince Shepherd's Pie
    • Irish Cream Recipe (Sugar Free Keto Cocktail)

    Lamb Recipes

    Looking for more lamb recipes? Check these out:

    • Pressure Cooker Leg of Lamb
    • Hearty Lamb Meatball Soup Recipe
    • Leftover Lamb Shepherd's Pie
    • How To Cook a Boneless Leg of Lamb
    • Lamb Mince Shepherd's Pie

    ⭐ Let's Connect

    If you tried this Irish Stew Slow Cooker Recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a star rating and/or a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please share photos of your creations with me and others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!


    📋 Recipe

    irish sew served in a white bowl and garnished with parsley.

    Irish Stew (Slow Cooker)

    This Irish stew slow cooker recipe is simple, hearty, and delicious. Tender lamb (or beef) and vegetables slow-cooked in an herbed broth with Guinness.
    5 from 4 votes
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    Author Kori
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 7 hrs
    Total Time 7 hrs 15 mins
    Course Slow Cooker
    Cuisine Irish
    Servings 8
    Calories 307 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 pounds lamb or beef stew meat
    • 2 large onions (halved then sliced)
    • 3 large carrots (peeled and sliced)
    • 1 pound potatoes (peeled and cut into 1" chunks)
    • 1½ cups lamb stock (or beef)
    • ½ cup Guinness beer
    • 1 tablespoon worcestershire
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
    • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or ½ tablespoon fresh)
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ cup fresh parsley

    Instructions
     

    • Add all ingredients to the crockpot except parsley.
    • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the lamb is done and the vegetables are tender.
    • If desired, thicken juices with a tablespoon of flour or 2 teaspoons of corn starch.
    • Adjust seasoning, salt, and pepper, and garnish with fresh parsley.

    Video

    Notes

    • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
    • SUBSTITUTIONS: Use any favorite potato variety including baby potatoes; sub veal or lamb for the beef - or use a combination; see the ingredient suggestions and variation tips in the post for more suggestions. 
    • SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve with a side of Irish soda bread, crusty bread, biscuits, rolls, or breadsticks. Garnish with parsley.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 30gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 776mgPotassium: 933mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 4845IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 4mg

    © 2023 Seeking Good Eats™

    Irish Stew Slow Cooker recipe - made easy in your Instant Pot - is simple hearty and delicious. This classic irish stew recipe has a slight twist - Guinness beer. Just take a bite of the mouthwatering tender lamb (or beef) and vegetables slow-cooked in an herbed broth with Guinness! YES, please! Crock pot Irish Stew is perfect for weeknight dinners. A heart and delicious stew like this is total comfort food, right? 🙂 #irishstewslowcooker #crockpotirishstew #slowcookeririshstew #irishstew #guinnessrecipe #lambstewrecipe #beefstewrecipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andie says

      February 24, 2022 at 6:55 am

      5 stars
      This was such a delicious stew, thank you! The Guinness made my husband happy -anything with beer in it! Loved being able to just put everything into the slow cooker without a bunch of steps. Adding this to my recipe rotation! LOL!

      Reply
      • Kori says

        February 24, 2022 at 6:58 am

        Thank you! You are so welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the Irish stew! I tried to make this recipe as simple as possible so it could be a weeknight dinner! My husband loved the beer too 🙂

        Reply
    2. Karen says

      March 07, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      Made this over the weekend and it turned out amazing. I didn’t have any beer so I used red wine instead. Tasted great!!! I have been quite a few of your recipes lately and they’ve all been wonderful! Thank you!!!

      Reply
      • Kori says

        March 07, 2022 at 1:46 pm

        Thank you so very much, I'm super happy you loved this recipe and the other ones you have tried too! Such a wonderful compliment!! 🙂

        Reply

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    Hello! I'm Kori and I am a food LOVER. I've had a lifelong passion for cooking and eating (of course)! At some point that catches up with you, right? Older and wiser, I now watch what I eat more closely. What's the hardest and most frustrating part? Finding recipes that are healthy, easy to make, AND taste great.

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